Reply by builtinabarn

I thin some solvent base or water base wood filler and spackle it on all the edges (very time consuming). You don’t have to put it on thick, just enough to fill. Or I use a thickened type of sealer ( something compatible with your top coat paint). Once both methods are dry (using either-or), sand smooth and paint(seal) the entire surface. Let dry, sand, and refill any areas that need it again. Now move to the first top coat. Check for imperfections, fill and sand, then apply finale top coat. I use Lacquer, and I use this method on high gloss finishes. Of coarse there is wet sanding and buffing in that process also. Painting MDF to a flawless finish takes time and patience and a lot of filler or numerous base coats and sanding. Good luck. Bob